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Reflex sympathetic dystrophy following nail biopsy.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
|January 1, 1987
Summary
Nail biopsy can rarely cause reflex sympathetic dystrophy, a complication of onychomycosis treatment. Despite this risk, nail biopsy is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective therapy of nail diseases.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Podiatry
- Nail Medicine
Background:
- Onychomycosis, a fungal nail infection, can be challenging to diagnose, especially when mycological tests are negative.
- Nail unit biopsy is a diagnostic procedure used to investigate persistent or unusual nail conditions.
Observation:
- A rare case of reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) is reported following a nail unit biopsy.
- The patient had a history of long-standing onychomycosis with repeatedly negative fungal cultures.
Findings:
- Reflex sympathetic dystrophy is a potential, though infrequent, adverse effect of nail biopsy.
- The literature review indicates that the benefits of accurate diagnosis via biopsy outweigh the risks of complications.
Implications:
- Nail biopsy remains an essential tool for diagnosing nail diseases, guiding appropriate treatment.
- Clinicians should not be deterred from performing nail biopsies due to the low incidence of adverse events like RSD.